James Judd Conducts the Curtis Symphony Orchestra Oct 25

(October 11, 2010) James Judd conducts the Curtis Symphony Orchestra season premiere performance on Monday, October 25 at 8 p.m. at the Kimmel Center. Considered one of the pre-eminent interpreters of English orchestral music, Mr. Judd leads Elgar's In the South, Op. 50 ("Alassio"), as well as Ravel's Suite from Ma mère l'oye (Mother Goose Suite) and Brahms's Symphony No. 4.

Curtis will present the 2010 Alumni Award to the Guarneri Quartet at the beginning of the concert. The Alumni Award is given each year in recognition of outstanding and long-term service to Curtis, as well as outstanding achievement in the music profession.

Tickets are $5 to $40 and are available at the Kimmel Center Box Office and from Ticket Philadelphia at (215) 893-1999 or www.ticketphiladelphia.org. Join the Curtis Symphony Orchestra for all three Kimmel Center performances with a subscription, priced $15 to $103 and available from the Curtis Ticket Office at 215-893-7902 or www.curtis.edu. The concert is part of the 2010-11 series of Jack Wolgin Orchestral Concerts.

Curtis celebrates the season premiere with a preconcert gala at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue. To commemorate this year's all-school project—Paris: Between the Wars—the Season Premiere Gala will include cocktails in a salon setting with 1920s inspired jazz and a Parisian-themed dinner. Proceeds benefit the Curtis Student Assistance Fund, which provides financial support for students' living expenses. For tickets and more information, contact Charles Finch in the Curtis Development Office at (215) 717-3141.

British-born conductor James Judd has amassed an extensive collection of recordings on the Naxos label, including an unprecedented number in partnership with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, where he is music director emeritus. His previous directorships include principal guest conductor of the Orchestre National de Lille in France and fourteen years as music director of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr. Judd has led the Berlin Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic; conducted in the great halls of Europe, including the Salzburg Mozarteum and Vienna's Musikverein; and made guest appearances with many prestigious European ensembles. In North and South America he is a frequent and much-admired guest conductor, having appeared with the orchestras of St. Louis, Montreal, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Seattle, Indianapolis, Utah, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo. Learn more about James Judd.

The Curtis Symphony Orchestra has been called "an orchestra that any city would be lucky to have as its professional ensemble" (Philadelphia Inquirer). Recent visiting conductors include Charles Dutoit, Alan Gilbert, Simon Rattle, Robert Spano, and Michael Tilson Thomas. This real-world training has enabled Curtis alumni to assume prominent positions in major orchestras across the United States, Canada, and abroad. Sixteen percent of the principal chairs in America's top twenty-five orchestras are held by Curtis-trained musicians.

Subscriptions for three Curtis Symphony Orchestra concerts: $15, $30, $50, $76, $103; available from the Curtis Ticket Office at (215) 893-7902 or www.curtis.edu.

Single tickets: $5, $16, $19, $29, $40; available at the Kimmel Center Box Office and from Ticket Philadelphia at (215) 893-1999 or www.ticketphiladelphia.org.

Season Premiere Gala: Preconcert cocktails and dinner at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue and premium concert tickets. Proceeds benefit the Curtis Student Assistance Fund. For tickets and more information contact Charles Finch in the Curtis Development Office, (215) 717-3141.